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Old 04-24-08 | 11:05 PM
  #11  
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Peek the Geek
is slower than you
 
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: WI

Bikes: Gunnar Sport, Marin Pine Mountain, Gunnar Ruffian, Gunnar Roadie, BMC Fourstroke, Salsa Vaya

Originally Posted by dwood
P the G,

The 'heat' method is only effective on metals with different expansion rates: e.g. aluminum and steel. The broken allen wrench and the bolt are both steel.

If you have a dremel tool you should be able to take a pointed carbide cutter and work it gently around the hex cavity in the bolt head . . . tapering it [bell-mouthing it]. eventually you will have enlarged it enough to let the broken wrench piece fall out.

There should be enough of the original socket in the bolt to use a standard allen wrench in it and remove the bolt. Replace the bolt with a new one.
Thanks, dwood, for saving me some wasted time with the heat method. I'll give the carbide cutter a go tomorrow, but is there much danger of damaging the hex cavity enough that I will no longer be able to use a hex wrench to remove the bolt?
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